The Colours of Christmas

Monday 21st November, 2011

A new release of some of the most well-known and best-loved Christmas carols, with new arrangements and orchestrations by John Rutter. John is joined by the renowned Bach Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform carol favourites such as In dulci jubilo, Silent night, In the bleak mid-winter and The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Bach Choirwith guest artists Over the BridgeJohn Rutterconductor

Listen to music from the album using the special John Rutter musical advent calendar on YouTube; or listen to previews of a number of tracks from the album on Soundcloud.

1. Ding Dong! Merrily on High
2. The Colours of Christmas
3. In Dulci Jubilo
4. What is this lovely fragrance?
5. Away in a Manger
6. Hodie Christus natus est
7. Riu riu chiu
8. I wonder as I wander
9. Star Carol
10. Once in Royal David’s City
11. Silent Night
12. In the bleak midwinter
13. Gabriel’s Message
14. Fanfare – O come, all ye faithful
15. O holy night
16. A New Year Carol
17. Joy to the world
18. Sleigh Ride
19. Deck the Hall
20. The Christmas song
21. The Twelve Days of Christmas
22. Have yourself a merry little Christmas
23. Fanfare – Hark! the herald angels sing

DECCA 2782129

14 Comments

Brian Betcher

December 19, 2013 at 7:38 pm

Just a note of complete adulation with regards to the Twelve Days of Christmas arrangement and performance; I feel like this is an underappreciated classic, and its never been performed with more flourish than here, magically regal and triumphant in its joy. I heard it first two years ago on Sirius Holiday Pops and I was trying desperately to find out who was responsible for this epic rendition! Purchasing this album on Amazon immediately; thanks!!

I simply love this cd, where can i buy the sheet music from, im looking at the fanfares for both o come all ye faithful and hark the herald angels sing, ding dong merrily on high, and the arrangmentt of silent night and away in a manger

At 61 yrs old I have heard a lot of music. Two years ago I tired of the usual round of rather indifferent quality Christmas carol recordings and the numerous American accent recordings that almost persuade me that the British simply haven’t the will or ability to strive for excellence in Christmas music. It’s almost as though “anything will do, it’s Christmas after all.” I first discovered the “Cambridge Singers Christmas Album,” which is absolutely magnificent. Then last year I bought “The Colours of Christmas.” I cannot say how many dozens of times I listened to it, but every time I did it filled me with joy. I am buying several copies this year as early Christmas presents for friends and family. “The Colours of Christmas” and “The Star Carol” are simply exquisite. This music alone made Christmas last year much more beautiful than it already was, so much so, I have begun listening to it again tonight. The traditional carols are fresh and delightfully rearranged, the new ones are something very special. It should be compulsory listening for British Christmases! British television is awash with meaningless garbage at Christmas, this is worth more than all the television at Christmas for me. Thank you for this superb music , it is an enormous credit to yourself and ALL of those who produce it.

I absolutley love the new carol from last year the”colours of christmas.” In fact I have already started to play the CD.in the car even though it’s still September ! However I like to sing along and can’t quite make out all of the lyrics so wonder if anyone can send them to me. Thank you.

Have you produced your original carols with readings as a carol service? One that would include Star carol, candlelight carol, Dormi jesu, marys lullaby, nativity carol, etc. Do you have the readings aswell as the list of carols, if so?

Loved the Colours of Christmas until I got to track 15 In The Bleak Midwinter – I was convinced you were a traditionalist and would record the lovely lovely ORIGINAL tune. In fact I assured my daughter you so would do. Not Likely! We were served the saccharine sweet modern version. I may say John that I possess all your recordings and look forward to new ones with intense pleasure, but I have been disappointed by this one.

Dear John Rutter, I’m just listening to “The Colours of Christmas”, and I must confess I’m deeply moved by the
wonderful voices and the fascinating arrangements. I’ve been an admirer of British choral tradition since we were made familiar with it at school (more than 40 years ago). When I was a schoolteacher myself, I tried to hand over this tradition to my pupils, and now, as a lecturer in a small town in former GDR, I’m keen on introducing British Christmas traditions and carols to my adult students. Thank you very much and – Merry Christmas or, in my mother tongue, Frohe Weihnachten! Renata von Toerne